Bereavement

When a person is closely affected by a death, expected or sudden, family members, carers and children should have access to information and support appropriate to their circumstances. This may include staff and volunteers from a variety of health and social care organisations.

Bereavement support may be not be limited to immediately after death, but may be required on a longer-term basis and, in some cases, may begin before death. Support should be culturally and spiritually appropriate, immediate, and available shortly afterwards.

A stepped approach to emotional and bereavement support may be appropriate, which could include but is not limited to:

information about local support services

practical support such as advice on arranging a funeral, information on who to inform of a death, help with contacting other family members and information on what to do with equipment and medication

general emotional and bereavement support, such as supportive conversations with generalist health and social care workers or support from the voluntary, community and faith sectors

referral to more specialist support from trained bereavement counsellors or mental health workers.